Martin O'neill insists Aston Villa can end Chelsea's unbeaten home run after resting his big guns last night but still reaching the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

The draw with Litex after a 3-1 win in the away leg vindicated the Villa boss's decision to give the likes of Gareth Barry and John Carew the evening off.

Marlon Harewood struck a superb opener, his first goal this season. Wilfried Niflore equalised but Villa, who had six changes from Saturday's win over Sunderland, cruised into Tuesday's draw.

O'Neill has now turned his attention to Sunday's visit to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have not lost at home in 85 league games.

But O'Neill, whose side drew 4-4 at Chelsea on Boxing Day and are just two places below the leaders, said: "It has to come to an end some time and it would be great to think we might be the team to do it.

"It's arguably football's toughest away match. I hope some of our players will benefit on Sunday from a rest.

"I think the break will help Gareth Barry enormously. I'm still convinced we'd have won there on Boxing Day if Zat Knight hadn't been sent off just before half-time when we led 2-0."

Villa took the lead in the 27th minute when Harewood latched on to Ashley Young's header before shrugging off Plamen Nikolov to fire in a fierce right-foot shot.

Niflore levelled on the night with a penalty on 53 minutes but Villa were rarely troubled after that.